Zimbabwe’s national army commander General Costantinos Chiwenga has clashed with Higher Education Minister Jonathan Moyo in what appears to be an open attack on the Zanu PF Politiburo member designed to instill fear in him as factionalism ravages the ruling party.

According to the state-controlled Herald newspaper, General Chiwenga says Moyo is being sponsored by some people to destabilize Zimbabwe and Zanu PF.

Moyo allegedly belongs to a Zanu PF faction known as Generation 40 (G40) said to be opposed to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa's attempts to succeed 93 year old President Mugabe.

Mnangagwa, who was Mr. Mugabe's right handman during the liberation war of the 1970s, allegedly leads a faction of the same party called Team Lacoste.

He has dismissed reports that he wants to succeed the president though indications are that he is being supported by war veterans, including General Chiwenga.